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What the best age for kids to get a braces consultation? Well, the rule of thumb is, it’s better to be early. Many children will benefit from early preventative orthodontic treatment to reduce the complexity and duration of treatment later on. This blog will discuss the approximate age at which kids should visit us for a free braces consult and why.
There are several reasons as to why kids might need braces. The most common reasons are for correcting oral issues like overcrowded, overlapping, or crooked teeth.
Kids might also need braces if they have malocclusion, also known as a “bad bite”. This is when the top and bottom jaws are of different sizes. When the bottom jaw is bigger, it’s known as an underbite. When the top job is bigger, it’s referred to as an overbite.
A child might sometimes need braces if they’re experiencing jaw and tooth problems. These problems are usually caused by accidents, losing baby teeth too soon, or thumb sucking.
More often than not, however, the oral issues are inherited. So, if you or someone in your family needed braces, chances are your children also will need them.
We are happy to see kids as soon as they get their first adult teeth. Generally, the first adult teeth to come through are the first molars and incisors at the age of 6 – 7. Sometimes, adult teeth get stuck under the baby teeth and need a little help coming through. If that is the case, contact out team to discuss comfortable treatment options. It’s important to note that taking your kids for a consultation at a young age can help future planning.
At Britannia Dental Care Mississauga, we offer complimentary consultations to help parents plan out their child’s orthodontic journey. During the consultation, some of the things we examine include your child’s teeth alignment, bite, and jaw relation. Our trained dentists will then discuss the current diagnosis and treatment plan options with you.
For children with large overbites, crossbites, or underbites, earlier orthodontic treatment can be beneficial to help improve the underlying jaw size problems. Around the age of 7 or 8, this type of early intervention treatment can be started. It may involve a fixed or removable appliance (aka plate) or partial braces.
Around the age of 9 – 11 is when the adult canine teeth start to emerge into the mouth. Canines frequently travel off course and end up getting stuck in the roof of the mouth. Early detection of this problem will help us take a conservative approach to encourage the canine to get back on track. This can prevent long, costly, and complex orthodontic treatment for your child in the future.
Most routine orthodontic treatment for children will start around the age of 11 – 14 years old. By then, most of the adult teeth are present in the mouth, and children are often in their most motivated and cooperative phase! Treatment often coincides with puberty, which usually occurs in this age range. This allows us to maximize any growth potential of the jaws, and ensure the end results are stable. However, it’s important to remember that each child has a unique growth pattern and maturity rate. Thus, your child’s treatment start date may fall outside of the 11 – 14 year age range, and that is perfectly normal.
If it’s time for you to see a dentist, get in touch with us at Britannia Dental Care today! Our dental team in Mississauga has your best interest in mind, and is dedicated to ensuring you have a healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Click here to schedule an appointment, or call: 905-785-1412, email: reception@britanniadentalcare.com. We look forward to seeing you!
